The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami has assured telecommunication operators that the government was addressing the issue of multiple taxation amongst other problems facing them.
Pantami said the government was addressing other issues affecting telecom operators like problem of right of way and protection of infrastructure.
He explained that this would help fast-tracking broadband infrastructure deployment and penetration.
The minister disclosed this while charging the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure effective monitoring and steering of the overall implementation of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) 2020-2025.
He spoke at the inauguration of NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr. Ubale Maska, as the Chairman of the newly-inaugurated Broadband Implementation Steering Committee (BISC) in Abuja, yesterday.
The minister said the mandate of the committee was to ensure “effective monitoring for implementation of the National Broadband Plan (NBP), 2020- 2025.”
He said: “The journey started with the approval for the transformation of the ministry and its parastatals in October, 2019 from mere ICT institutions to digital economy institutions by the President. This was followed by the unveiling of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) in November, 2019 and the development of a new NBP 2020-2025, which was launched by the President in March 19, 2020.
“Problems of Right of Way, protection for telecom infrastructure and multiple taxations, which are critical to fast-track broadband infrastructure deployment and penetration are being addressed from all fronts.”
